In this module you will explore classical and contemporary approaches to acting for both stage and screen. You will be introduced to the work of innovative practitioners, visionaries and dramatists who have challenged and changed existing practice and explore some of the theoretical developments of performance for screen based electronic media. This includes how different styles of acting and presentation have emerged from within the cinema and broadcasting industries, providing audiences with new forms of recorded and live dramatic performances. You will also explore some of the ways in which the craft of acting has been remediated from the theatre to the different visual and audio media platforms. You will also consider how certain styles of performance have evolved through various case study performers and practitioners working across popular screen genres (e.g., silent comedy, popular entertainment, television dramas, improvised realist cinema) from the early part of the 20th Century to the more contemporary technological changes and the live casting of theatre productions to cinema audiences across the globe.

The individual Creative Research Project (negotiated) will consist of collated documentation illustrating ideas and concepts for the contemporary realisation of one of the dramatic texts or screenplays studied during the first semester. It may include one or more of the following elements plans, sketches, ideas, concepts, artifacts, images and recordings. ( LO1 & LO2) The format and focus of the project will be negotiated and agreed between the student and tutor.

The collaborative group project will investigate and analyse one of the dramatic texts and screenplays studied in action. This will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of a dramatic text or screenplay through practical exploration and analysis. The project will be guided by a staff facilitator and will be peer assessed. (LO2 & LO3)

This module promotes a facilitated learning approach, where you will have opportunities to explore, discuss and develop an understanding of the key concepts and ways in which different types of performance have evolved and the meanings they produce across theatre, film, television, and other media platforms. This requires you to undertake an active approach to bring ideas and reflective practice to your work. You will also be given opportunities to assess your own learning and to explore ways in which this can be focused on further in your assignments and discussions. The workshops will be based around theatre and media performance topics, with extracts and complete films/programmes being used to illustrate points. You are encouraged to make key notes on these and keep a record to help you with your assessments on the module.

1.Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the ways in which key classical and contemporary practitioners, writers and movements have influenced the development of live performance and screen.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Use appropriate industry terms and vocabularies to investigate, analyse and practically explore the performance challenges presented by a diverse range of dramatic texts and screenplays.

Application and Problem solving

3. Communicate dramatic concepts and ideas accurately, reliably and with structure and coherency in both written and oral forms.

Communication and application

Library Facilities, computers and internet access.
Rehearsal rooms and performance spaces.
VLE
Media Centre equipment

Bennett, J. (2011) ‘An ‘irreconcilable opposition’ Music hall, radio and the emergence of televisual skill’, Television Personalities, London: Routledge. [791.450280922]. Click eBook for link.



Cantrell, T. and Hogg, C. (2017) ‘Soap Opera’, Acting in British Television, London: Palgrave [791.450280941]. Click eBook for link.



Cantrell, T. (2018) ‘'The Organic and the Technical': A Psychophysical Approach to Television Acting’, Cantrell, T. and Hogg, C. eds. Exploring Television Acting, London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama [eBook]. Click eBook for link.



Carey, D and Carey, R (2015) The Shakespeare Workbook and Video. Methuen Drama: Bloomsbury



Caughie, J. (2014) ‘What do Actors do when they Act?’, in Bignell, J. and Lacey, S. British Television Drama, 2nd edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. [791.457]. Click eBook for link.



Dromgoole.D (2017) Hamlet: Globe to Globe: Taking Shakespeare to Every Country in the World. Canongate Books



Gratton, S. (2024) ‘The Independent Actor: an Accessible Companion for all Actors: Bloomsbury



Marsden, R. (2022) Inside the Rehearsal Room: Process, Collaboration and Decision Making. Methuen Drama



Merlin, B. (2010) ‘Film Acting’, in Acting, London: Routledge. [792.028]. Click eBook for link.



Merlin, B. (2014) The Complete Stanislavski Toolkit, Nick Hern Books



Paget, D. (2018) ‘Truth and ‘truthiness’ in acting the real’, in Cantrell, T. and Hogg, C. eds. Exploring Television Acting, London: Methuen Drama. [eBook]. Click eBook for link.

This module is designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of different forms and styles of acting for stage and screen. You will be introduced to the work of seminar practitioners and texts that have challenged and changed existing practice. Teaching is delivered through seminars, workshops and lectures.